Product description

Northern Wilderness is a stunning celebration of one of earth's great wildernesses. Ray Mears journeys on foot, by canoe and by snowshoe through mountains, forests, tundra and ice in a land where roads are still scarce. He explores the vast Boreal Forest and its rich animal life, and travels across the Hudson Bay by canoe, telling the story of the fur trappers who traded with the hat manufacturers of England. Ray follows the paths of the great early northern explorers, Samuel Hearne and David Thompson, who survived through their knowledge of what we now call bushcraft, as they trekked across the tundra and the Rocky Mountains. He explores the frozen north and learns the ways of the Inuit, who teach him how to combat snow blindness and build shelter. This book is rich in bushcraft, as Ray explains the unique survival techniques of the Native Canadians and the Inuit, as well as how the prospectors in the gold rush used bushcraft skills to survive in this inhospitable but awesome landscape.

Author information

Born in 1964, Ray Mears has travelled the world studying and teaching the art of survival. He has appeared extensively on TV programmes such as Bushcraft Survival and Ray Mears Goes Walkabout. In 2003 the Royal Geographical Society honoured him with the Ness Award for the popularisation of geography.

Review quote

Amazing scenery, fascinating history and oodles of good old-fashioned scouting skills Daily Telegraph Northern Wilderness is different, grown-up, wider ranging, a trip through the Canadian tundra in the snow show tracks of the early explorers...effortlessly beguiling Sunday Times Fans of Ray Mears - the thinking man's Bear Grylls - will rejoice that their man is back, doing what he's best at...He begins in the vast Boreal forest that covers a third of Canada, which Mears illuminates in his wonderfully quiet, relaxed and understated way. Daily Mail His clear message to go out and enjoy exploring nature calmly and safely is relevant everywhere. Eschewing wide-eyed adventurism, this survivalist is equally a naturalist and anthropologist for peoples who live at one with their environment Mail on Sunday Inspiring fare Observer